End structure for watchband



Feb. 17, 1970 M. D. GANDELMAN 3, 9

END STRUCTURE FOR WATCHBAND Filed April 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l NVENTO R MO/P/P/S 0. swag/m4 ATTORNEY M. D. GANDELMAN END STRUCTURE FOR WATCHBAND Feb; 17, 1970 Filed April 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MOP/PIS AGJIVDtZ/J/A/V ATTO RNEY

United States Patent 3,495,748 END STRUCTURE FOR WATCHBAND Morris D. Gandelman, Fort Lee, N.J., assignor to Jacoby- Bender, Inc., Woodside, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 719,560 Int. Cl. A44c /00 US. Cl. 2244 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to an end structure for a watchband or the like, and particularly to an attachment which prevents stretching or deformation of the looped end of the watchband.

Watchbands are often formed of two overlying layers of a sheet material such as plastic, simulated lea her or the like, having the tendency of stretching or deforming after being used for a period of time. In a watchband of this type, the layers of the stretchable material are folded over one another to form a loop at one end of the hand through which a spring pin is placed, the pin engaging the lugs of a timepiece in a known manner in order to fasten the band to the watch.

As the watchband material stretches, the dimensions and shape of the loop and the band become altered and the securing pin no longer is snugly fitted within the loop. This causes the timepiece to become loose relative to the watchband and, therefore, to tend to move around on the wearers wrist. The stretching of the band further loosens the retention of the watch about the wrist, caus ing the band and timepiece to shift their positions on the wrist. All of this is undesirable, and involves replacement of the watchband with a new one.

It is, therefore, clearly desirable for a watchband made of a stretchable material to be able to retain its shape and size over an extended period of use so as to prevent slippage of the band on the wrist of the wearer and looseness of the timepiece with respect to the watchband. This is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by providing an attachment which is adapted to be securely placed over and adjacent the loop of the watchband to substantially limit the extent to which the band material may stretch or deform.

Since a watchband is considered to be an article of decoration as well as function, the appearance of the watchband is also of considerable importance to the wearer. Therefore, it is desirable for the means by which the stretching of the band is prevented to be non-functional in appearance when applied to the watchband and, preferably, to enhance the over-all appearance of the watchband to which it is attached.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an end structure for a watchband or the like which substantially prevents the stretching and deformation of the band even after a long period of use of the band.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a watchband end structure of the type described, which does not detract from the over-all appearance of the watchband, and which blends into the decorative pattern of the band.

3,495,743 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 It is a further object of the present invention to pr0- vlde a watchband end structure of the type described which is economical and simple to manufacture, and which can be readily applied to the watchband with a minimum amount of equipment and skill.

To these ends, the present invention provides a watchband end structure which is adapted to be securely placed over and adjacent the loop of the watchband so as to effectively prevent the stretching and deforming of the band at that area thereof. The end structure comprises a pair of opposed end restraining elements which extend around the opposite side portions of the loop to exert on them an effective rigidifying force, thereby to prevent the stretching and deformation of the loop, while leaving the central region of the loop exposed so as not to materially detract from the over-all appearance of the band.

The attachment preferably includes a pair of opposed and facing tabs extending from the end restraining elements which are adapted to be crimped on the underside of the watchband adjacent the loop. A transverse strip having slots formed at either of its ends is preferably also provided at and anchored to the underside of the band, the opposing tabs being forced into these slots, thereby to prevent the longitudinal movement of the attachment with respect to the watchband body. The watchband is advantageously provided with longitudinal decorative borders extending along either end thereof, which are similar to or blending in-appearance with those portions of the end restraining elements of the attachment which are visible at the upper surface of the band, so that those portions of the attachment which are visible when the timepiece is worn, visually and decoratively cooperate with the decorative borders, the attachment thus appearing to be merely an extension of these borders, rather than an additional element.

To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the construction and manner of use of an end structure for a watchband or the like, as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view, in perspective, illustrating the watchband end structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the end structure of FIG. 1 in its assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the assembled watchband of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention here specifically illustrated, a watchband generally designated as 10 comprises overlying upper and lower layers 12 and 14 of appropriate sheet material which define at their ends a loop 16 which, in turn, defines a laterally extending passage 18 through which a securing pin 20 is to be inserted. Pin 20 is generally provided with telescoping members 22 which are loaded outwardly by pinhoused spring 24 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) so as to securely engage a pair of opposing lugs 26 of a timepiece 2-8 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and thus to secure timepiece 28 to watchband 10. If desired, the other end (not shown) of the watchband 10 may be connected to an expansion bracelet so that the timepiece may be easily removed from the wearers wrist, or the watchband may be included as part of a strap and buckle arrangement, all as is conventional.

The material from which layers 12 and 14 of watchband 10 are formed is usually plastic, simulated or natural leather, or other suitable material generally chosen for its decorative properties, but unfortunately often having the characteristic of being stretchable or deformable when a longitudinal force is applied thereto over a period of time. Hence the stresses incident upon the wearing of the timepiece and its frequent removal from the wrist tend to cause stretching and deformation of the watchband material, thus altering the shape and dimension of the band 10, and particularly of loop 16 and passage 18. This stretching of the watchband material results in a loose fit of pin 20 within loop 16 and a loosening of the fit of the watchband 10 about the wearers wrist, both undesirable.

In accord with the present invention, the stretching of the watchband material, and particularly the loop 16 thereof, is effectively prevented by placing a reinforcing end attachment, generally designated as 30, around loop 16, the attachment being formed of a unitary, relatively rigid piece of metal.

As may be best seen in FIG. 1, the end attachment 30 comprises a pair of laterally spaced restraining means in the form of rigid, generally upstanding walls 32 com nected to one another by a thin, transverse member 34 from which an upwardly sloping wall portion 35 extends.

In order to secure attachment 30 to the loop end of band 10, a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal sections 36, extending inwardly towards the watchband 10, are provided at the upper end of each wall 32, the longitudinal dimension of sections 36 bein slightly greater than the corresponding longitudinal dimension of loop 16. A curved element 38 depends from one side of each longitudinal section 36, each of the curved elements 38 having transversely inwardly facing tabs 40 provided at their lower ends, the spacing between tabs 40 and sections 36 being slightly greater than the overall-thickness of watchband 10.

A flexible, reinforcing sheet 42, formed of relatively thin, flexible metal and having a width somewhat greater than that of watchband 10, is placed about the underside of watchband 10 to provide additional rigidity to the watchband. The forward edge 43 of sheet 42 is placed directly adjacent the underside of loop 16 as shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5. Sheet 42 is provided with opposed arcuate, upstanding walls 44 at its sides, the walls 44 being adapted to be bent around the side edges of layers 12 and 14 and pressed onto the upper layer 12 to define a pair of spaced, parallel longitudinal borders 46 extending substantially along the entire length of watchband 10. A transverse strip 48 is secured to the underside of sheet 42 in a known manner, such as by soldering, welding or brazing, and has its forward transverse edge coextensive with forward edge 43 of sheet 42. The transverse dimension of strip 48 is somewhat greater than the width of sheet 42, and the ends of strip 48 extending beyond sheet 42 are each provided with a slot 50 as shown best in FIG. 1.

In the assembly of the attachment 30 to the Watchband 10, the pin 20 is first inserted through passage 18 in loop 16, and the flexible sheet 42, along with strip 48, is secured in its proper position at the underside of watchband 10. The attachment 30 is then placed over the loop end of watchband 10 so that elements 38 are inserted into slots 50, while the tabs 40 connected thereto are pressed against the underside of strip 48. The restraining walls 32 and sections 36 are at that time positioned against and around the ends of loop 16, wall 35 engaging the lower surface of loop 16.

It will be noted that when attachment 30 is in its assembled position on watchband 10, the sections 36,

which are visible at the upper surface of loop 16, are substantially the same width as borders 46 and are effectively co-linear therewith (FIG. 2). If the metallic material of sections 36 and that of the borders 46 are of similar appearance, the sections 36 will blend with the overall decoration of the watchband 10, and the presence of the additional structural attachment 30 to the watchband will hardly be noticeable to the casual observer. It is significant in this respect that a portion 52 of loop 16, intermediate the sections 36, remains exposed after attachment 30 is placed about the loop end of watchband 10.

The restraining force exerted on the stretchable material of loop 16 by restraining walls 32 effectively prevents the stretching or yielding of this material, and the crimped retention of tabs 40 within slots 50 prevents the relative longitudinal movement of attachment 30 along watchband 10, thereby to increase the effect and reliability of this restraining force.

Thus, it will be appreciated that by the use of a relatively simple and inexpensive attachment, which can be readily applied to the loop end of a watchband with only the simplest crimping tools, the stretching and deformation of the watchband is effectively prevented by an inconspicuous device which blends readily into the decorative scheme of the watchband.

While only a single embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be appreciated that many variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

I claim:

1. End structure on a watchband or the like, said band comprising a body comprising a loop formed at one end thereof adapted to receive a pin therethrough, said loop being formed of a material which tends to deform in shape after a period of use, an attachment comprising a pair of laterally spaced restraining means extending around side portions of said loop and leaving exposed a portion of said loop between said restraining means, and means for securing said restraining means to said body, said restraining means thereby preventing deformation of said loop.

2. The end structure of claim 1, further comprising means for preventing the relative longitudinal movement of said restraining means with respect to said body.

3. The end structure of claim 1, in which said securing means comprises a pair of opposed curved sections connected to said restraining means, each of said curved sections comprising upper and lower portions adapted to be respectively placed in secure engagement on the upper and lower surfaces of said body adjacent said loop.

4. The end structure of claim 3, further comprising means for preventing the relative longitudinal movement of said restraining means with respect to said body.

5. The end structure of claim 4, in which a transverse strip is secured to the underside of said body adjacent said loop, said strip comprising means cooperating with said lower portions of said curved sections to define said means for preventing longitudinal movement of said restraining means.

6. The end structure of claim 5, in which said strip is provided with slots at its ends comprising said cooperating means, said slots being dimensioned so as to receive therein the lower portions of said curved sections.

7. The end structure of claim 5, in which the upper portions of said curved sections comprise substantially parallel upper longitudinal parts extending over the side portions of the upper surface of said body, and the lower portions of said curved sections comprise inwardly facing tab portions depending from said longitudinal sections, said tabs being received in said slots.

8. The end structure of claim 7, further comprising a transversely extending element connecting corresponding ends of said spaced restraining means located at the underside of said loop.

9. The end structure of claim 5, further comprising a reinforcing sheet of a greater width than said band located on the underside of said band and having opposed longitudinal walls adapted to be bent over onto the upper surface of said body, thereby to define opposed parallel borders, said borders being adapted to be in substantial alignment with the visible portion of said restraining means so as to be substantially similar in appearance therewith, said transverse strip being secured to said reinforcing sheet.

10. In the end structure of claim 3, a transversely extending element connecting corresponding ends of said spaced restraining means and located at the underside of said loop.

11. The end structure of claim 3, in which the upper portions of said curved sections comprise upper longitudinal parts extending over the side portions of the upper surface of said body, and the lower portions of said curved sections comprise inwardly facing tab portions depending from said longitudinal sections.

12. The end structure of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing sheet of a greater width than said band located on the underside of said band and having opposed longitudinal walls adapted to be bent over onto the upper surface of said body, thereby to define opposed parallel borders, said borders being adapted to be in substantial alignment with the visible portion of said restraining means and substantially similar in appearance therewith.

13. The end structure of claim 12, further comprising means for preventing the relative longitudinal movement of said restraining means with respect to said body.

14. The end structure of claim 13, in which a transverse strip is secured to said reinforcing sheet, said strip comprising means cooperating with said securing means to define said means for preventing longitudinal movement of said restraining means.

15. In the end structure of claim 1, a transversely extending element connecting corresponding ends of said spaced restraining means and located at the underside of said loop.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,701,339 2/1929 Roy. 2,129,494 9/ 1938 Dinhofer.

FOREIGN PATENTS 26,622 1 1/ 1913 Great Britain.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner 

